Augusta Man Charged with Drug Trafficking in Damariscotta

An Augusta man is facing drug-trafficking charges after drug paraphernalia, numerous prescription pills, and $4,700 in cash were located inside his vehicle during a traffic stop in Damariscotta on Friday, Jan. 22. (Photo courtesy Damariscotta Police Department)

An Augusta man on probation for trafficking cocaine is facing new drug-trafficking charges after drug paraphernalia, prescription pills, and cash were located in his vehicle during a traffic stop in Damariscotta Friday, Jan. 22.

Timothy W. Sounier, 46, of Augusta, faces a class B charge of unlawful trafficking of a schedule W drug, a class D charge of unlawful possession of schedule W drugs, and a class E charge of violating condition of release.

According to a press release from the Damariscotta Police Department, Sounier was driving on Main Street Friday evening when he was stopped by Damariscotta Police Officer Kyle Sylvester for an inoperable taillight.

The vehicle belonged to an Augusta woman, who was the passenger at the time, Damariscotta Police Chief Ron Young said.

Sylvester noticed a “strong odor of marijuana” coming for the inside of the vehicle during the traffic stop, according to the press release. Sounier and the passenger were detained while the vehicle was searched.

Drug paraphernalia, numerous prescription pills, and $4,700 in cash were found, according to the press release.

Sounier was arrested and transported to Two Bridges Regional Jail in Wiscasset. Young said the passenger was not charged.

At the time of the Jan. 22 arrest, Sounier was free on bail in another case involving drug-related charges, according to the press release.

Sounier was also on probation for a 2010 conviction of aggravated trafficking of scheduled drugs in Kennebec County. Sounier pleaded guilty to the class A charge in Kennebec County Superior Court in November 2010 and was sentenced to 10 years in prison with all but four years suspended, plus four years of probation.

Sounier “is a relentless drug trafficker,” Kennebec County District Attorney Evert Fowle said at the time of his sentencing in December 2010, according to the Portland Press Herald. “We’ve been prosecuting him for drug trafficking for 20 years.”

Sounier is scheduled to appear at the Lincoln County Courthouse April 14.